All-Star players experience Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE - When the about 70 players on the East-West High School All-Star football team aren't practicing for the big game, they're busy taking in the sights of Moses Lake.

Players arrived in Moses Lake Monday, said Loren Sandhop, Moses Lake High School's athletic director.

On Wednesday, players attended a Moses Lake Rotary Club meeting to hear University of Washington linebackers coach Peter Sirmon speak. Sandhop said Wednesday's agenda also included dinner at Chico's Pizza and bowling at Lake Bowl.

On Thursday, players will get the chance to meet Moses Lake police officers and firemen during a lunch organized by the two agencies, he said. Several community members have also offered to cook dinner for the players that night and show them around Moses Lake, said Sandhop.

The 49th annual Washington State All-Star Game begins at 7 p.m. Friday. The game will be played at the Lions Field near downtown Moses Lake.

Tickets for the game are $7 each, said Sandhop. They will be available when gates open at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, he said.

Tickets are also available at Lake Bowl, 1165 N. Stratford Rd., Ameristay Inn and Suites, 1157 N. Stratford Rd. and at Moses Lake High School, located at 803 Sharon Ave E, he said.

Sandhop said this is the first year Moses Lake is hosting the annual game.

"This is a huge deal for the community," he said.

Sandhop said based on pre-sold ticket sales, the Lions Field will be packed with fans.

"We're anticipating a huge crowd, there are a lot of people who have made that commitment to come over from the West side," he said.

Sandhop said getting the players on the field to practice was a major priority.

"This is the first time many of them have played together and the first time the coaches have met the players," said Sandhop.

He also said it was important players had something to do outside of practice.

"Hearing Peter Sirmon speak for example is a major benefit for them," he said.

Sirmon was named the UW's linebackers coach in January 2012, according to the university's website. Sandhop said Sirmon also played professionally for the Tennessee Titans.

Before his professional and even college football career, Sirmon was a star player at his high school, said Sandhop.

"He's an All-State guy himself," he said. "He's sat where these players sit today and a lot of them look up to him."

Sandhop said Sirmon can give some of the players valuable advice about making the transition from high-school athletics to college athletics.

About 80 percent of the All-Star team have committed to playing college football, he said.

"Hopefully they can get some insight into going from being the big fish to the little fish," said Sandhop.

Brandon Johnson, who will be playing defense for the West team, said this isn't his first trip to Moses Lake. He's visited the area before for wrestling matches, he said.

Johnson, who recently graduated from Lake Stevens High School, plans on entering a wrestling program in college.

"I'm looking forward to playing my last football game this weekend," he said.

Mason Stone, who is also on the West team's roster, said he has been enjoying his first visit to Moses Lake.

"I was hoping for some nicer weather, but as long as it doesn't rain during the game I'm fine," he said.

Friday's Weather Channel forecast predicts a high of 71 degrees, with a 20 percent chance of rain.

Stone, who played for Mountlake Terrace High School, said getting to know the other players on the All-Star team has been the highlight of his trip.

While some of them have met on the field during previous seasons as competitors, none of them have really played together, he said.

"I'm the only player from my team," Stone said. "But we've all been getting along and meshing well."

Stone said he will head to the University of Idaho to play football in the fall.